Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Josh Freeman
Instead of waiting for someone to make her dreams a reality, Jaz Zapp took matters into her own hands and started sharing comedic videos online. Fast-forward, she has used nostalgia, her writing prowess, and her love for 2000s emo bands to garner thousands of followers across TikTok and Instagram. Zapp talked to NYOTA about collaborating with other creators, creating original music, and writing for Saturday Night Live one day.
Were sketch comedies like Saturday Night Live a large part of informing your comedic sensibility?
I was the kid staying up past my bedtime to watch Saturday Night Live every weekend and then the teenager downloading SNL sketch videos on Limewire. SNL was such a massive part of my upbringing, and for as long as I can remember I was grabbing a camcorder to record skits with my friends or putting on wild costumes to amuse my parents. My whole life I’ve used comedy as a means to connect with people. In school, I would mask moments of discomfort or break the ice in social situations where I felt out of place by quoting sketches and doing SNL character impressions. Now I just say wild shit I come up with myself. I have zero doubt I’ll be on the show someday. I’ve spent too many years manifesting, making people laugh in preparation, and convincing myself I’m a witch.
Breaking into the industry as an actor or comedian can be tough, but the internet has democratized things. Is that why you initially started posting?
I’ve been performing on stage and screen since I was six. After moving to New York City to pursue theatre at 22, I realized I suddenly needed permission to do the thing I loved. It was super jarring to me – it felt like I was begging to work on projects that oftentimes weren’t very good. I kept thinking ‘I can write/direct/produce this better,’ and then woke up one day and decided…fine, I will. I started producing and directing comedy and music videos for myself and others and felt so creatively fulfilled spending days on set, laughing with my friends, and making things we were proud of. Once the pandemic started, I began taking my social media presence seriously, not only because TikTok was blowing up, but because I needed a creative outlet that helped me feel connected to people. There were days, and continue to be days, when making silly videos feels so trite in comparison to the chaos going on in the world, but I’m reminded constantly by my supporters that they love watching my videos because they need to laugh when life feels hard. My online community has been truly wonderful to me and making people laugh is my biggest turn-on, next to money and biceps.
The Secret Lives of Emo Wives is such a fun skit on your TikTok. What’s the creative process when you collaborate with others on a video like that?
Obviously, social media has been an enormous tool for so many creators to gain momentum, but any influencer will tell you it can also be really isolating. Most of the time it’s just you and your tripod. One of the best parts of creating in my niche, I’ve found, has been how incredibly open and kind other creators have been. I’ve been lucky enough to befriend amazing creators like Jess (@jessicaconrad__) and Emily (@imemperiam) online and build friendships that have manifested IRL. My motto in life is to ask for what you want and the worst someone can say is no…or leave you on read. When I think of an idea that I think would suit another creator and me, I just ask for what I want. Most of the time other creators are looking for an opportunity to work on something fun together. For Emo Wives I came up with the concept, reached out to them with my insane ideas, and they were immediately down. They sent their footage to me, I shot around it in ways that I felt connected it all, then I edited it together and showed the gals and we were all obsessed. To this day it’s one of all of our favorite videos we’ve ever made. It was such a highlight to be all together for the first time at When We Were Young last year. I’m still sitting on footage for episode two so look out for that, lil babies.
Tell our readers about “I Don’t Want Your Man.” How did the song end up taking shape?
I was looking through the collection of standard pop-punk/emo songs from the 2000s to perform at Emo Night Karaoke and it hit me that so many of the songs for women from that era, despite being sung by absolute baddies, were all about either having your man stolen, stealing him back, or rubbing it in another girl’s face that you had her man now. Those songs are absolutely iconic and shaped a generation, but they’re just not the kind of lyrics I want to be singing at this point in my life. I decided to create my own anthem about women being able to coexist without competing. Scott Thomas Robinson had seen my videos and reached out to say, ‘Hey you’re funny and all, but you can actually sing,’…and I was like ‘I know I’ve been trying to tell everyone that!’ Long story short, he roped in Eric Taft, and the three of us sat on a Zoom call for a few hours and fleshed out the song. A few weeks later I took a train to Eric’s studio in Baltimore and we laid everything down. Being in the studio, working on a song that I know people will love – that I love – while laughing the whole time, is my version of heaven. New songs are in the pipeline with this team and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
A lot of your followers have said that the song is unironically a banger. Are you excited to potentially perform it live during your comedy shows?
Not only am I stoked to perform it for the first time at my upcoming show at 54 Below in NYC, but I fully plan on performing this song for massive crowds at pop-punk fests everywhere. In the studio the day we recorded the song I said I’m going to bring back Warped Tour just to sing this song at it. A few weeks later Warped Tour announced its return. You’re welcome for witching! I grew up idolizing front women like Gwen Stefani and Hayley Williams. I plan on owning the stage like they do. Ideally with Tony Hawk on a half-pipe behind me.
What have been some of your favorite opportunities that have arisen from being a content creator?
I’ve met some of the coolest and loveliest creatives. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and befriend the bands who raised me. The practice in general has made me the kookiest and most shameless version of myself, and I really dig her. Plus the cash for the foot pics doesn’t hurt…lol jk..am I though?
Could you see yourself writing a comedy television show or film one day?
1000%. The dream is to have a Netflix series and I’ve got a couple of pilots rolling around my noggin. Now, someone throw money at me so I can make something hilarious and great and pay everyone what they’re worth. And by everyone I mean the writers, the crew, and the non-AI actors.
What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?
Find your thing. Don’t waste time doom scrolling what is bringing others success online. By bringing your unique voice to the table, you’ll be filling a space people didn’t even realize they were missing. Be patient with yourself while you find it. Sometimes videos are going to tank…get in the habit of embracing it and not letting it ruin your day. Haters in the comments are just adding engagement. And ultimately, remember your “why.” Why do you want to create online? And for the love of Goddess…don’t let it be to have enough followers to fill the void in your soul. Really think about what you want and always be creating with your goal in mind. Mine has been to manifest IRL opportunities to create on bigger scales with the people I admire, and after years of dedication…it’s paying off.
This story first ran in Issue 39: The Digital Issue. Read more from the issue here
